Teen Charged In Toy Gun Incident

A Geneva teenager who took a toy pistol to school Friday has been charged with disorderly conduct and suspended from school, officials said Tuesday.

Police say Brian Cresson, 17, a student at Geneva Community High School, pulled the toy gun out while at school, pointed it at someone, then pulled the trigger, making a "clicking" sound.

Later, police said, Cresson pulled the gun from his pocket as he got off a school bus.

"We think it's very serious," said John Murphy, superintendent of District 304. "While it may not have done physical harm, it certainly renders psychological damage."

Cresson was suspended for 10 days and was not at school Tuesday. The school board will consider a stiffer penalty at its meeting April 9. Under district rules, he could be expelled.

Cresson declined comment when reached at home Tuesday.

Principal Gregory Fantozzi said his office sent letters Monday to all parents who have children at the school, explaining the incident. There has been no announcement to students, he said. Fantozzi said the school refers to the pistol as a "look-alike gun," not a toy, because of the way it was presented.

"When I first received word of the incident's occurrence, to the best of my knowledge it was a real gun," he said. "That's any principal's worst nightmare."

Geneva Police Lt. Joe G. Frega said Cresson was arrested Friday afternoon. Shortly thereafter, investigators realized the gun was a toy. Frega said a threat assessment team determined no students or school staff were at risk, and Cresson was released that evening.

The assessment team met again Monday, and recommended school action and formal charges. Cresson was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct and one count of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Investigators said they found a pipe and a small container of what appeared to be cannabis residue.

"To me, it's extremely poor judgment," Fantozzi said. "What would motivate someone to do this given the present culture is beyond me."